8113 —הוספה בלימוד תורה, תפלה, וחסידות בימי חנוכה

B"H, 2nd of Teves, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter in which you have decided for the good—and there is no good but complete Torah—to add fixed times for studying the Torah of Hashem, to strengthen your service in prayer, and also to increase your study of Chassidus. May it be the will of the Giver of the Torah, Elokim Chaim (the living G‑d), to strengthen your minds and hearts so that you ascend in holiness from level to level and from strength to strength, in accordance with the instruction of Torah. This is also the lesson from the days of Chanukah that we are currently experiencing: to continually increase day by day, adding light that shines even after sunset and illuminates at the entrance of one's house outward—even affecting matters outside oneself; that is, conducting oneself properly throughout the entire day.

There is nothing that stands in the way of sincere will, for regarding this it is said: "You have labored and you have found." May it be His will that you share good news about all these matters and that your parents and teachers enjoy much true satisfaction from you—satisfaction that is Jewish, traditional, and chassidic.

With blessings for success.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Chanukah inspires us to continually increase in Torah study, prayer, and Chassidus. With sincere effort and determination, one can achieve spiritual growth that brings true satisfaction to oneself and one's mentors.